To Rev. Edward Koroway, Pastor at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, it was only fitting that his parents, Henryka and Tadeusz, became residents at Copernicus Lodge. After all, decades earlier they had worked diligently to realize the dream of the home.
“I’m grateful that my parents were able to spend their final years in a place that provided a real sense of community, dignity and peace,” says Rev. Koroway, a dedicated donor to Copernicus Lodge.
His commitment stems from his parents’ long personal connection to the home. Henryka and Tadeusz were married in 1949 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Toronto. Each had endured much in the years prior.
After war struck in 1939, 13-year-old Henryka and her family were deported to Siberia. They were forced to work hard in the forest, yet somehow all survived. Eventually, Henryka was evacuated to Persia, then Iraq, southern Africa, England and, finally, Canada in 1948. When the war broke out, Tadeusz joined the Eighth Army under British command. He fought in Italy, north Africa and Egypt, and came to Canada in 1947.
Here, the couple embarked on building a family and joining with fellow Poles to create a community.
“My father was a man of great heart, helping those in need, sponsoring people from Poland and supporting the Polish community at St. Stanislaus,” says Rev. Koroway.
At St. Stanislaus, Henryka became president of the Sodality of Mary, a charitable organization. “A concern was that many aging Polish people were spending their last days alone in terrible conditions in private old age homes, sometimes living in dark basements.”
The Sodality approached Father Michael Smith for his support in creating a warm and welcoming home. “My father and mother became involved in contributing to building the first Polish seniors care home in Toronto,” Rev. Koroway says.
In their later years, Henryka and Tadeusz were admitted to long-term care at Copernicus, where they remained until their passing in 2013 and 2015. Since then, Rev. Koroway’s sister, Mary, has also become a resident. His uncle Walter and his wife, Zofia, were residents as well.
“Our family has benefitted greatly from the ability to receive care in a Polish religious and cultural environment,” says Rev. Koroway. “This is why I’m happy to offer my support and contribute to efforts to improve the quality of life for our residents.”
